Outdoors roundup

Wrap up the year with waterways

The quest to clean up Haywood’s waterways and restore its native species has been a long one, and Steve Fraley of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will give a status report on those non-game species calling the Pigeon River watershed home during the Haywood Waterways Association’s annual dinner, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Lambuth Inn, Lake Junaluska Assembly.

In addition to hearing from Fraley, the evening will include a report on HWA’s year in review, a silent auction and an awards ceremony honoring those who have worked to protect and improve Haywood’s rivers, streams and reservoirs.

$15 per person covers the holiday buffet-style dinner. RSVP by Dec. 1 to Christine O’Brien, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.476.4667.

Discover the Smokies

Get the inside scoop on Friends of the Smokies’ plans to kick off the second century of National Park Service stewardship with a program from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at REI in Asheville.

With its program “Discover the Smokies,” Friends of the Smokies will discuss the programs, hikes and camping excursions it has planned toward the goal of engaging and educating communities surrounding America’s most visited national park.